GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: volkswizard on 19 February 2023, 08:55
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Hello guys,
I'm not exactly a forum regular but I did start the Clubsport S register on here back in 2016 and have been a lurker ever since.
In Dec 2016 I bought a brand new Clubsport S (number 154), ran it for 2 years and 6k miles and sold it to scratch my R8 itch. To cut a long story short I bought my second on Thursday (number 242) which was pretty much identical to my old one, even the first 4 digits of the number plate were the same.
This time I am going to use it properly so will be making a lot of hopefully interesting content with the car during 2023 (and beyond as no plans to sell).
The first video was posted on Friday and featured the collection of the car. In it I state what I am going to do with, modifications a planned and which cars I am now going to have to sell and of course give you a tour of the car.
This is a link to the video, if you have any questions, just ask - it's GREAT to be back :smiley:
https://youtu.be/dQNoBmwoa6s (https://youtu.be/dQNoBmwoa6s)
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Hello guys,
I'm not exactly a forum regular but I did start the Clubsport S register on here back in 2016 and have been a lurker ever since.
In Dec 2016 I bought a brand new Clubsport S (number 154), ran it for 2 years and 6k miles and sold it to scratch my R8 itch. To cut a long story short I bought my second on Thursday (number 242) which was pretty much identical to my old one, even the first 4 digits of the number plate were the same.
This time I am going to use it properly so will be making a lot of hopefully interesting content with the car during 2023 (and beyond as no plans to sell).
The first video was posted on Friday and featured the collection of the car. In it I state what I am going to do with, modifications a planned and which cars I am now going to have to sell and of course give you a tour of the car.
This is a link to the video, if you have any questions, just ask - it's GREAT to be back :smiley:
https://youtu.be/dQNoBmwoa6s (https://youtu.be/dQNoBmwoa6s)
Will you be going back to selling cars again?
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Just watched the video. IMHO the mk7 / mk7.5 was the best looking Golf and makes the mk8 look like its ugly sister (I’ve never warmed to the looks of the mk8); just my opinion though :whistle:.
@volkswizard - your ‘new’ Clubsport S looks great. One change I’d make; it looks as if a harsh (acid based?) cleaning product has been used on the wheels at some point during the car’s life as the plastic cover over the locking wheel bolt has discoloured to light grey. Only a few pence to buy replacements so worthwhile doing IMHO.
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Did anyone else read that in his voice or just me. :grin:
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Did anyone else read that in his voice or just me. :grin:
:grin: I think it was the “hello guys” that did it :grin:
it looks as if a harsh (acid based?) cleaning product has been used on the wheels at some point during the car’s life as the plastic cover over the locking wheel bolt has discoloured to light grey. Only a few pence to buy replacements so worthwhile doing IMHO.
That was literally the first thing I thought when I saw the vid too.
Ok, the second thing actually, those pig awful wind deflectors were the first :sick:
Anyhow, welcome back to the fold Andrew and congrats on the new purchase. We’ll all look forward to the car’s progress, warts and all. A good choice of project car for the channel and a very nice thing to own for your own pleasure.
I’m assuming the change from perfectly good (understatement) PS4S to Goodyears is a sponsorship thing?
Personally I’d much rather keep the Michelins on as they make the car look more original, even though they’re not strictly original if that makes sense.
Here’s looking forward to the next instalment…
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Nice!
Would love those seats in my TCR.
Interesting you chose the CS over a TCR considering the balance of “normal” driving you will probably do. I guess the CS is really that good at the non normal driving aspects!
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You bought a car from Hippo? :undecided:
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Nice!
Would love those seats in my TCR.
Interesting you chose the CS over a TCR considering the balance of “normal” driving you will probably do. I guess the CS is really that good at the non normal driving aspects!
You can buy the TCR seat material, would be great to get a pair of Recaros trimmed in it with the same alcantara bolsters. Something I would consider if I wasn't so 'careful' :laugh:
I think the choice of a CSS over a TCR was a sensible one. One of them is likely to depreciate a lot less (if at all), be a lot more fun and generate much more youtube interest.
The video did have me logging on to Autotrader to see what was available but they are a bit out of my size of wallet. My OH would be likely to have a few choice words too if I brought it up :rolleyes:
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My OH would be likely to have a few choice words too if I brought it up :rolleyes:
I think it’s more the “careful” in you that puts you off!! :whistle:
Dead right about the choice of car for the channel though. A good investment as a side benefit, but the sort of car that’s recognised by the “car enthusiast” brigade who stand in car parks, bonnet up, admiring each others polished intakes as well as the regular VW faithful.
… and were you to brooch the idea with your OH Watts, you could bring up the “investment” with a side order of “investment” just like a nice vase…
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I think it’s more the “careful” in you that puts you off!! :whistle:
… and were you to brooch the idea with your OH Watts, you could bring up the “investment” with a side order of “investment” just like a nice vase…
[/quote
:grin: I do like a vase....
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Nice!
Would love those seats in my TCR.
Interesting you chose the CS over a TCR considering the balance of “normal” driving you will probably do. I guess the CS is really that good at the non normal driving aspects!
You can buy the TCR seat material, would be great to get a pair of Recaros trimmed in it with the same alcantara bolsters. Something I would consider if I wasn't so 'careful' :laugh:
Such a shame that wasn’t even a factory option let alone standard.
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In Dec 2016 I bought a brand new Clubsport S (number 154), ran it for 2 years and 6k miles and sold it to scratch my R8 itch. To cut a long story short I bought my second on Thursday (number 242) which was pretty much identical to my old one, even the first 4 digits of the number plate were the same.
How can you make the same mistake twice?
You know should should`ve bought a Golf R!
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Great project car Andrew. Look forward to your future videos. Are you planning a dyno run - I think a few of us would like to see what these make as standard? Great choice for the brake upgrade. I believe the stage 3 kit (355 disc) weighs less than the stage 2 kit!
I know you have a relationship with RacingLine but i would not recommend their turbo elbow as the transition to the turbo inlet flange is far from smooth (perhaps the design has changed) compared to the products from Forge, Revo or TT. The R600 is a great piece of kit, as you know.
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Will you be going back to selling cars again?
I honestly don't know. For years now I've been saying I wouldn't have been able to start up if the motor trade was like this back in 2002. The biggest realisation is that car dealers are no longer the shrewd business people I thought they were, because when stock is hard to come by, they will pay ridiculous prices to buy cars, not to make profit, but to fill forecourts and give their salaried staff some work to do.
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Just watched the video. IMHO the mk7 / mk7.5 was the best looking Golf and makes the mk8 look like its ugly sister (I’ve never warmed to the looks of the mk8); just my opinion though :whistle:.
@volkswizard - your ‘new’ Clubsport S looks great. One change I’d make; it looks as if a harsh (acid based?) cleaning product has been used on the wheels at some point during the car’s life as the plastic cover over the locking wheel bolt has discoloured to light grey. Only a few pence to buy replacements so worthwhile doing IMHO.
Agree with all of that. I've just paid a chunk more for a 6 year old Mk7 that I did for a brand new Mk8 which says it all. When I got the Mk8, it wasn't perfect but it was a new GTI with decent spec for £32k and it worked brilliantly on road and on track and to PCP it was peanuts. Today RRP has gone up, discounts have gone down and APR has doubled so I can't recommend one, especially as VW still haven't sorted the glitches (which are a far bigger issue than the button free cabin).
With regards to the locking wheel bolt caps, isn't it weird it's only the locking cap that has discoloured? I've got a box of spare caps but these ones are for bigger locking wheel bolts than the ones I had in my box (some have got tiny clips inside them to bite onto the bolt head, these need a total empty cap). So instead I just used a soft wire brush on my Dremel to clean the white bit off the 4 caps. Will get a full set of new ones I think because as you say they are cheap, just got to make sure I get the right cap for the lockers.
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Did anyone else read that in his voice or just me. :grin:
Sorry, I am like a stuck record :grin:
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Ok, the second thing actually, those pig awful wind deflectors were the first :sick:
Anyhow, welcome back to the fold Andrew and congrats on the new purchase. We’ll all look forward to the car’s progress, warts and all. A good choice of project car for the channel and a very nice thing to own for your own pleasure.
I’m assuming the change from perfectly good (understatement) PS4S to Goodyears is a sponsorship thing?
Personally I’d much rather keep the Michelins on as they make the car look more original, even though they’re not strictly original if that makes sense.
Here’s looking forward to the next instalment…
Wind deflectors are gone already, they were on the car in some 2019 pics when it had done 6k miles. I know they are marmite, recently watched a video of a Mk4 R32 driving through 'that' ford way too fast and killing his engine, guess what, wind deflectors!
I'm not sponsored by anyone. When I had my first CSS, because of originality and how the Cup 2s contributed to all the reviews, I was reluctant to take them off and in the 4 years since I sold it I realised they had hampered my enjoyment of it - obvious really - as they are track tyres and I drove it solely on the road.
So originality in the tyres isn't really something I am bothered about. When I got my GTI TCR, the owner had ditched the Cup 2s and fitted Goodyear Asymmetric 5s on 18s and I was commuting 50 fast miles per day in all weathers and I grew to have a lot of respect for them. Then a year later my brand new Mk8 Clubsport arrived on 18" F1 Supersports as that tyre had now been homologated for the GTI (making it more "original" on a GTI than a 4S). Ran them for a month/1000 miles before swapping to Asymmetric 5s, then all season tyres and back onto Supersports before it was sold and I realised they contributed a lot to the car's dynamic superiority over Mk7/7.5 as it drove way better on them than the highly rated Asymmetric 5s.
Why ditch perfectly good 4S though? I needed some high performance road tyres for my (now sold) Leon Cupra as I only had semi-slicks for it. So rather than fit new brand ones to that, it inherited the PS4S and my CSS got the Supersports which is my preferred tyre from personal experience.
I wouldn't be blindly led by reviews, my decision is based on experience, but Supersports beat PS4S in this recent evo review which used a Mk8 Clubsport for testing;
https://www.evo.co.uk/tyre-reviews/18309/best-car-tyres-evo-performance-tyre-test
(https://www.evo.co.uk/tyre-reviews/18309/best-car-tyres-evo-performance-tyre-test)
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Nice!
Would love those seats in my TCR.
Interesting you chose the CS over a TCR considering the balance of “normal” driving you will probably do. I guess the CS is really that good at the non normal driving aspects!
It's a shame VW didn't give TCR optional buckets considering what the R bit stands for.
The TCR was a brilliant daily that was also OK on track (with a change to semi-slicks). The CSS is flawed in many ways but it offers the ultimate Golf high and that's what I want, primarily because when I owned my first one I didn't sample that high often enough. Part of the issue was that it came out on Sundays mainly as that was my only day off so I nearly always had a passenger on board and sampling the CSS's magic really isn't possible with a squeamish passenger on board. :sick:
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You bought a car from Hippo? :undecided:
Yes indeed, I had no issues with the car or the buying experience and most of my communication was as a normal punter.
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I think the choice of a CSS over a TCR was a sensible one. One of them is likely to depreciate a lot less (if at all), be a lot more fun and generate much more youtube interest.
Buying cars for YouTube interest is a tricky one, in the six years I've been making videos, lots of channels have had lots of views and earned a lot of money by doing videos on Mk7 Golf R and now Mk8. It would be disingenuous of me to start championing this car because simply I prefer a GTI and this sincerity has definitely cost me views and slowed down the growth of my channel.
Now YouTube is my only source of income (simply revenue from the ads I have no control over, not sponsorship etc - rarely more than 3 figures per month) I've had to consider whether sincerity pays the bills, it's certainly not high on the priority for a lot of people in this business.
The Clubsport S came about because I was thinking what to do with my Leon Cupra 280. Modifying it would mean a commitment to keeping it and recent surprisingly popular reviews on my wife's TT had made me realise it wasn't actually that popular on the channel. So man maths at its finest meant I could justify a CSS and stay true to my widely expressed GTI preference. Rather than repeat videos from six years ago when I still had my first one, this car will get used properly as life is too short and nobody really uses them so it should be decent content but still unlikely to get anything like the numbers of a much cheaper R as it's still very much a niche car, which is fine as I've never really aspired to be mainstream, just need some decent solid viewing numbers and no more.
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In Dec 2016 I bought a brand new Clubsport S (number 154), ran it for 2 years and 6k miles and sold it to scratch my R8 itch. To cut a long story short I bought my second on Thursday (number 242) which was pretty much identical to my old one, even the first 4 digits of the number plate were the same.
How can you make the same mistake twice?
You know should should`ve bought a Golf R!
I did buy one! A white estate 7.5. I think R works best in estate as you expect less and it exceeds expectations but normal service has now been resumed :tongue:
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Great project car Andrew. Look forward to your future videos. Are you planning a dyno run - I think a few of us would like to see what these make as standard? Great choice for the brake upgrade. I believe the stage 3 kit (355 disc) weighs less than the stage 2 kit!
I know you have a relationship with RacingLine but i would not recommend their turbo elbow as the transition to the turbo inlet flange is far from smooth (perhaps the design has changed) compared to the products from Forge, Revo or TT. The R600 is a great piece of kit, as you know.
Dyno run is a good idea, Sam at RL would probably insist on it!
I'll mention that issue with their inlet elbow, unusual for them especially with R600 being so good and the 2 should work well together.
Thanks for the brake disc info, I think 355mm discs will be fine as it leaves option of 18s and its lighter which on this car is key. It's not worth overbraking the car and making it heavier as its already lighter than my Leon Cupra 280 and the stage 2 kit worked on that fine and Beford Autodrome is brake killer. I knew the stage 2 brake kit was lighter than OE but pleasantly surprised stage 3 is even lighter. My only issue is clearance, do you know if Pretorias clear them as I don't want spacers?
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Great project car Andrew. Look forward to your future videos. Are you planning a dyno run - I think a few of us would like to see what these make as standard? Great choice for the brake upgrade. I believe the stage 3 kit (355 disc) weighs less than the stage 2 kit!
I know you have a relationship with RacingLine but i would not recommend their turbo elbow as the transition to the turbo inlet flange is far from smooth (perhaps the design has changed) compared to the products from Forge, Revo or TT. The R600 is a great piece of kit, as you know.
Dyno run is a good idea, Sam at RL would probably insist on it!
I'll mention that issue with their inlet elbow, unusual for them especially with R600 being so good and the 2 should work well together.
Thanks for the brake disc info, I think 355mm discs will be fine as it leaves option of 18s and its lighter which on this car is key. It's not worth overbraking the car and making it heavier as its already lighter than my Leon Cupra 280 and the stage 2 kit worked on that fine and Beford Autodrome is brake killer. I knew the stage 2 brake kit was lighter than OE but pleasantly surprised stage 3 is even lighter. My only issue is clearance, do you know if Pretorias clear them as I don't want spacers?
You’ll most likely need spacers but Racingline do a 5mm adapter spacer which interlocks to the disc hub face - I have them on mine with the Belvedere wheels.
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I think the choice of a CSS over a TCR was a sensible one. One of them is likely to depreciate a lot less (if at all), be a lot more fun and generate much more youtube interest.
Buying cars for YouTube interest is a tricky one, in the six years I've been making videos, lots of channels have had lots of views and earned a lot of money by doing videos on Mk7 Golf R and now Mk8. It would be disingenuous of me to start championing this car because simply I prefer a GTI and this sincerity has definitely cost me views and slowed down the growth of my channel.
Now YouTube is my only source of income (simply revenue from the ads I have no control over, not sponsorship etc - rarely more than 3 figures per month) I've had to consider whether sincerity pays the bills, it's certainly not high on the priority for a lot of people in this business.
The Clubsport S came about because I was thinking what to do with my Leon Cupra 280. Modifying it would mean a commitment to keeping it and recent surprisingly popular reviews on my wife's TT had made me realise it wasn't actually that popular on the channel. So man maths at its finest meant I could justify a CSS and stay true to my widely expressed GTI preference. Rather than repeat videos from six years ago when I still had my first one, this car will get used properly as life is too short and nobody really uses them so it should be decent content but still unlikely to get anything like the numbers of a much cheaper R as it's still very much a niche car, which is fine as I've never really aspired to be mainstream, just need some decent solid viewing numbers and no more.
Around the boom time of car reviews, and cars that were interesting to me, the MK7/7.5 GTI and R, S3/RS3 and M1351 and latterly the 128Ti (which now drive) used to watch all the known names pretty regularly but there is a tipping point where you lose interest a bit and switch off from some personalities, and admit to now only watching all your content, Mat from Carwow, Thomas at Autogefuel, and bit of Joe Achilles as assessed the worthiness of selecting a 128Ti and everyone else has pretty much faded away.
Think your biggest USP is that your history and experience support the thinking that everything do is a genuine and honest review, and that everything you do, is likely a question we would all ask ourselves on a certain car or element of the car. Basically you are seen as one of us, where many out there are talking at us.
Your reviews on the TCR is what swayed me away from just getting another R at the time, and selecting that TCR proved to be a very good decision, truly loved it, and was sad to see it go.
After this 128Ti, my run of some pretty decent company cars will come to an end, and will not be buying new and its likely that will go back to a MK 7 something and though could never get a car without rear seats, the standard MK 7 Clubsport does appeal, so will be going back over old reviews such as your TCR vs CS and seeing if heart will dictate next ride in about 12-18 months.
But just keep following doing what enjoy doing :)
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Hello guys,
I'm not exactly a forum regular but I did start the Clubsport S register on here back in 2016 and have been a lurker ever since.
In Dec 2016 I bought a brand new Clubsport S (number 154), ran it for 2 years and 6k miles and sold it to scratch my R8 itch. To cut a long story short I bought my second on Thursday (number 242) which was pretty much identical to my old one, even the first 4 digits of the number plate were the same.
This time I am going to use it properly so will be making a lot of hopefully interesting content with the car during 2023 (and beyond as no plans to sell).
The first video was posted on Friday and featured the collection of the car. In it I state what I am going to do with, modifications a planned and which cars I am now going to have to sell and of course give you a tour of the car.
This is a link to the video, if you have any questions, just ask - it's GREAT to be back :smiley:
https://youtu.be/dQNoBmwoa6s (https://youtu.be/dQNoBmwoa6s)
Welcome back to the fold Andrew. You're only a few numbers apart from mine although our colours are proverbially night and day.
I think I would have made it a condition of sale to remove those wind deflectors! :grin:
Interesting to hear your plans. Inspired by a thread on Pistonheads (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1811469&i=0) (I think st33ly is on here too), I've drafted up a programme of improvements and have undertaken some of the minor but the pandemic got in the way of the more substantial items and I've not gotten round to sorting them out. The two main items I'm adding to mine are Racing Line's catch can and carbon ceramic discs to reduce unsprung mass. I've been debating Surface Transforms but the configuration has been a 'voyage of discovery'.
So much YouTube car content is utter drivel, I'd pay the monthly subscription if it gave me a 'block function' to never see hide nor hair of certain channels so look forward to something more in depth or interesting. Mr Beast employs seven people to create thumbnails so playing the algorithms is not just content.
Never understood the 'hate' for CS2 tyres, they're on all my cars. I've never removed them from my CSS in winter but I drive for the conditions nor do I drive like a senior citizen. Knowing their operating window and warming them up helps but I've never felt sufficiently uncomfortable or unsafe to change them. Different folks, different strokes I guess.
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It was great to have a chat about these on Saturday morning over breakfast, what they mean, why they are great without a passnger and the tyre debate.
Look forward to seeing it at the recyling centre and supermarket and more imprtantly when we hit the Beacons :)
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Just seen the latest YT video.... bit nerdy but what I picked up were the unusual indicator switch, the camera was looking at the back of them and they looked to be painted (?) not the standard black as per mine... unless it was a quirk of the camera?
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Just seen the latest YT video.... bit nerdy but what I picked up were the unusual indicator switch, the camera was looking at the back of them and they looked to be painted (?) not the standard black as per mine... unless it was a quirk of the camera?
Must have been a camera quirk I think
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You’ll most likely need spacers but Racingline do a 5mm adapter spacer which interlocks to the disc hub face - I have them on mine with the Belvedere wheels.
Thanks for that Paul. I'm really not keen on spacers because the wheel sticking out that bit more does tend to flick up the stones and it's pretty bad as standard (worse on sticky Cup 2s too). So might stick with Stage 2 brakes, drove my Cupra again today and the brakes are noticeably more feelsome than the standard brakes on CSS.
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Around the boom time of car reviews, and cars that were interesting to me, the MK7/7.5 GTI and R, S3/RS3 and M1351 and latterly the 128Ti (which now drive) used to watch all the known names pretty regularly but there is a tipping point where you lose interest a bit and switch off from some personalities, and admit to now only watching all your content, Mat from Carwow, Thomas at Autogefuel, and bit of Joe Achilles as assessed the worthiness of selecting a 128Ti and everyone else has pretty much faded away.
Think your biggest USP is that your history and experience support the thinking that everything do is a genuine and honest review, and that everything you do, is likely a question we would all ask ourselves on a certain car or element of the car. Basically you are seen as one of us, where many out there are talking at us.
Your reviews on the TCR is what swayed me away from just getting another R at the time, and selecting that TCR proved to be a very good decision, truly loved it, and was sad to see it go.
After this 128Ti, my run of some pretty decent company cars will come to an end, and will not be buying new and its likely that will go back to a MK 7 something and though could never get a car without rear seats, the standard MK 7 Clubsport does appeal, so will be going back over old reviews such as your TCR vs CS and seeing if heart will dictate next ride in about 12-18 months.
But just keep following doing what enjoy doing :)
Not sure I am worthy of being mentioned amongst those guys but not complaining :)
128Ti is a car I'd like to try but it's getting harder to get cars off manufacturers, even VW and SEAT don't answer my emails and I'd need it for a week to get a feel for it.
I guess one benefit of being old is experience! It's funny you should mention honesty, I've always tried to be a straight as possible but this doesn't do you any favours when it comes to profitability neither in the motor trade nor as it happens on YouTube. When you are a small channel that manufacturers don't have to invite to events or loan cars to, if you dare to be critical of their cars, however fair and reasonably, they will basically blank you and next thing you know you see non-critical content from fatuous influencers (often with far less reach) who have taken your place on events that in the past you'd have been invited to.
Glad we concur on TCR - that car was an eye-opener. However if the perfect spec CS Ed40 came along I'd probably take that (buckets, DCC, Prets, 3 door, manual) I'd probably go for that now (if one actually exists!) as the CSS has reminded me how much effort VW went to with the aerodynamics which is kind of cool.
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Welcome back to the fold Andrew. You're only a few numbers apart from mine although our colours are proverbially night and day.
I think I would have made it a condition of sale to remove those wind deflectors! :grin:
Interesting to hear your plans. Inspired by a thread on Pistonheads (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1811469&i=0) (I think st33ly is on here too), I've drafted up a programme of improvements and have undertaken some of the minor but the pandemic got in the way of the more substantial items and I've not gotten round to sorting them out. The two main items I'm adding to mine are Racing Line's catch can and carbon ceramic discs to reduce unsprung mass. I've been debating Surface Transforms but the configuration has been a 'voyage of discovery'.
So much YouTube car content is utter drivel, I'd pay the monthly subscription if it gave me a 'block function' to never see hide nor hair of certain channels so look forward to something more in depth or interesting. Mr Beast employs seven people to create thumbnails so playing the algorithms is not just content.
Never understood the 'hate' for CS2 tyres, they're on all my cars. I've never removed them from my CSS in winter but I drive for the conditions nor do I drive like a senior citizen. Knowing their operating window and warming them up helps but I've never felt sufficiently uncomfortable or unsafe to change them. Different folks, different strokes I guess.
Thanks AGB, it's great to be back!
Don't worry the wind deflectors are off - I wanted to remove them myself to make sure it's done carefully. I was pleased to find whoever fitted them didn't use the metal clips which can scratch the glass.
Wow that's pretty hardcore to fit ceramics but I can see the appeal.
Agreed re YouTube and the general quality of car content but at least there is enough good stuff to choose from (and failing that there is always old Top Gears from the 1990s!).
With regards to PS2s, evo magazine during a period when they had a very good relationship with Michelin called them 'dicey in cold and wet conditions'. Sure you can drive around on them perfectly fine if you drive slowly when conditions are not ideal, especially in heavy rain when semi-slicks like to aquaplane but you'll be overtaken by lorries in a cloud burst (more common in summer) and other drivers who can't actually see where they are going which is not a nice experience. Also if you have to perform an emergency maneuver they may not respond as well as a normal tyre and in braking in cold conditions you might mind the ABS triggers more which increases stopping distance compared to a grippier normal tyre which doesn't trigger ABS.
If you do like to push hard all year around (I do) the Cup 2s won't be anywhere near their operating window in cold conditions and therefore how they behave at the limit of grip could possibly be more abrupt and unpredictable compared to a normal high performance road tyre.
And finally (sorry) another issue with semi-slicks on the road is that they can flick more stones up which batters the wheel arches and on Golf 7 GTI the exposed lower sill section (above the gloss black extension piece).
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Around the boom time of car reviews, and cars that were interesting to me, the MK7/7.5 GTI and R, S3/RS3 and M1351 and latterly the 128Ti (which now drive) used to watch all the known names pretty regularly but there is a tipping point where you lose interest a bit and switch off from some personalities, and admit to now only watching all your content, Mat from Carwow, Thomas at Autogefuel, and bit of Joe Achilles as assessed the worthiness of selecting a 128Ti and everyone else has pretty much faded away.
Think your biggest USP is that your history and experience support the thinking that everything do is a genuine and honest review, and that everything you do, is likely a question we would all ask ourselves on a certain car or element of the car. Basically you are seen as one of us, where many out there are talking at us.
Your reviews on the TCR is what swayed me away from just getting another R at the time, and selecting that TCR proved to be a very good decision, truly loved it, and was sad to see it go.
After this 128Ti, my run of some pretty decent company cars will come to an end, and will not be buying new and its likely that will go back to a MK 7 something and though could never get a car without rear seats, the standard MK 7 Clubsport does appeal, so will be going back over old reviews such as your TCR vs CS and seeing if heart will dictate next ride in about 12-18 months.
But just keep following doing what enjoy doing :)
Not sure I am worthy of being mentioned amongst those guys but not complaining :)
128Ti is a car I'd like to try but it's getting harder to get cars off manufacturers, even VW and SEAT don't answer my emails and I'd need it for a week to get a feel for it.
I guess one benefit of being old is experience! It's funny you should mention honesty, I've always tried to be a straight as possible but this doesn't do you any favours when it comes to profitability neither in the motor trade nor as it happens on YouTube. When you are a small channel that manufacturers don't have to invite to events or loan cars to, if you dare to be critical of their cars, however fair and reasonably, they will basically blank you and next thing you know you see non-critical content from fatuous influencers (often with far less reach) who have taken your place on events that in the past you'd have been invited to.
Glad we concur on TCR - that car was an eye-opener. However if the perfect spec CS Ed40 came along I'd probably take that (buckets, DCC, Prets, 3 door, manual) I'd probably go for that now (if one actually exists!) as the CSS has reminded me how much effort VW went to with the aerodynamics which is kind of cool.
The problem with that attitude from manufacturers is that many buyers are quite savvy and can tell if someone is just singing from the provided hymn sheet, and them type of reviews and reviewers are ones switched off from a long time ago, if there is no element of honesty its just a manufacturers advertisement and a pointless watch.
So think you do the best to be fair and reasonable and push the fact that's what folk actually want and have an understanding that no cars perfect, and to point out some of them areas still for improvement is not a bad thing.
The 128Ti was something a little apprehensive of, but think BMW have done a really good job at their own version of the GTI, the driving position is really different and was disconcerting at first, but now used to it, driving it around in completely same manner as the TCR, the cabin is a really nice place to be, and the media system is second to none, dials, shortcuts, touch, wireless, super quick and intuitive O/S.
Gear box has a different character, you really do not feel the changes, its just a smooth linear delivery, and so the self imposed speed limit 'bong' comes far quicker than expecting. Feels no less in pace than the TCR, you do not feel that 265BHP to 290BHP gap.
The one 'issue' which is not really an issue, is the torque steer when really floor it, its very real, and disconcerting or character? leaning to the later, the car is livelier than expected, but now in tune with the 128Ti, am driving it freely and fluidly and its very GTI like with some added BMW lustre as a summary
This is more of an extended test drive for me, likely be handing it back in 12-18mths, and will be on market for second hand at circa £20-25k and be looking at Golf R, GTI TCR, GTI ED40 M135i XDrive and could genuinely be any of them, be the best car see at the time.
And this is where will look at reviews again, just to assure myself of knowledge, and so reviews do not always have to be new, enjoy your revisit reviews and bought our second car 4 month ago, 3 Door, GTI, White, Glendale, with your in depth review of a 2012 ED35 being one of main convincers. https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=289110.0 (https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=289110.0)
In the financial crisis, with higher costs to buy new where, £700 p/m + is not unheard of, can see many looking at nearly new, like me in future, so revisiting the nearly new for content is not worst idea, as you can now talk about its 3-5 year history as a car also.
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With regards to PS2s, evo magazine during a period when they had a very good relationship with Michelin called them 'dicey in cold and wet conditions'. Sure you can drive around on them perfectly fine if you drive slowly when conditions are not ideal, especially in heavy rain when semi-slicks like to aquaplane but you'll be overtaken by lorries in a cloud burst (more common in summer) and other drivers who can't actually see where they are going which is not a nice experience. Also if you have to perform an emergency maneuver they may not respond as well as a normal tyre and in braking in cold conditions you might mind the ABS triggers more which increases stopping distance compared to a grippier normal tyre which doesn't trigger ABS.
If you do like to push hard all year around (I do) the Cup 2s won't be anywhere near their operating window in cold conditions and therefore how they behave at the limit of grip could possibly be more abrupt and unpredictable compared to a normal high performance road tyre.
And finally (sorry) another issue with semi-slicks on the road is that they can flick more stones up which batters the wheel arches and on Golf 7 GTI the exposed lower sill section (above the gloss black extension piece).
Evo have a duty of care one would argue to not inspire overconfidence or feelings of invincibility on the part of their readers. I don't disagree with any of your points, they're all really valid but comments on the tyres are a bit overwrought in general and quite often, give the impression that they're like trying to run in stilettos on ice up a hill. Applied common sense as always does wonders.
Where I live, the potholes and mud on the roads temper enthusiasm more than confidence in my ability to deal with a code brown moment. That and the concern over an SUV coming the opposite way, convinced that they're invincible and that physics missed their bus.
Anyway, look forward to seeing your CSS centred content in due course.